PLUTUS. 219

madness than for a man who can see to follow the
leading of one who is blind; and a fellow, too, who
won’t answer a syllable to any question?” At last
the slave made up his mind to speak to his master.
“Tell me,” he said, “ who this man is that you seem
determined to follow. You know that I have always
done my'best for you.” — “ That is so,” said Chremy-
lus, “ that is so; I have always found you the most
faithful of my slaves—and the greatest thief. How-
ever, I’ll have no secrets from you. You know that
I am a pious and honest man, and that I have always
been unlucky and poor.” .

Cario. “I know it perfectly well.”

Chremylus. “ And that robbers of temples, in-
formers, politicians, and scoundrels of all sorts are
rich. Well, I went to consult Apollo about it. My
days, I knew, were pretty nearly over; but I wanted
to know about my only son. Was he to give up my
virtuous ways and turn into a villain, as it was only
the villains who prospered? The answer, was this:
‘ Follow the first person whom you see after leaving
my temple; don’t lose sight of him, but make him
go home with you.”

Car. “ And who was the first person you saw?”

Chrem. “That man there.”

Car. “Well, master, that is very stupid of you.
Of course Apollo meant that you were to bring up
the boy as a villain. Everybody is a villain; there-
fore the first person you meet will be a villain; there-